Grapefruit League

March 20, 1986

Chet Lemon's bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth inning powered the Detroit Tigers to an 11-10 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Lakeland. The winning rally ruined the Reds' valiant comeback attempt. Cincinnati trailed, 8-1, after five innings but took advantage of Detroit starter Frank Tanana and relief pitcher Paul Voigt's wildness to tie the score, 8-8. The Reds scored twice in the sixth inning with the help of three walks and a double by Bo Diaz. Cincinnati received two walks and two wild pitches in the seventh inning, and scored five runs to pull even. The Tigers had built their lead on the strength of two long home runs by Kirk Gibson and another off the scoreboard by Nelson Simmons. Gibson finished the game with five RBIs. Mike Laga belted a two-out solo homer, his fifth in spring training, to give Detroit a 9-8 lead. Cincinnati charged back with a two-out rally of its own. Kal Daniels hammered a two-run triple to push the Reds in front, 10-9. But Detroit started a two-run rally in the ninth with singles by Dave Bergman, Doug Baker and John Grubb for one run. Darnell Coles was walked intentionally moments before Lemon delivered his game-ending hit.